Calling All Speed Demons!

So you like to run.  Me too!  Do you make yourself promises about doing speedwork “some day?”  Do you daydream about running 10, 9, 8, 7(!) minute miles?  Is speedwork something that sounds scary yet exhilarating at the same time?  Could you use a few cheerleaders to keep you on track or even to get you to the track so you can do a few timed laps?

If you answered yes to any of the above, you are not alone.  I’m right there with you.  Hi.

I’m starting a Speed Demons feature here at Feels Like Flying, in part because I myself could use an extra boost to move faster during my running work-outs.  I’m selfish that way.  But more than that, one of the delightful things about writing this blog is that I’ve met a lot more bloggers with whom I feel a sense of connection, and one thing we have in common is a desire to become faster runners.  It occurred to me that it might be nice to give each other a boost, to celebrate our victories and urge each other to keep up the good work.  Of course there are the comments we leave on each other’s blogs, but how inspiring would it be to see a half-dozen or more “best of” speed work-out summaries in one place?  I think it would be awesome.  I’m inspired just thinking about it.

Here’s the deal: once a month, on the first of each month, I’ll post a round-up of your best speed work-outs, dear readers.  (I’ll throw mine in there too, for good measure.)  You can submit your entries in one of two ways: either leave me a comment in a post before the first of the month or send me an e-mail at lifeloveandfood [at] gmail [dot] com.  Either way, if you have a link to a blog post or a Daily Mile entry, share it with me!  We’ll get our Speed Demons all linked up.  I should add that you don’t have to have a link to participate.  You can always just let me know what your favorite or best speed work-out of the month was, and I’ll include you in the round-up.

And remember: speed work is all relative.  It’s about pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and running faster than what is easy for you, right now.  One person’s speedy eight-minute mile might be another person’s recovery mile.  It doesn’t matter.  What matters is you, running faster, feeling stronger, making good on that promise to work harder in your work-outs. It’s about challenging yourself to be the best YOU that you can be.  So get out there and unleash your inner speed demon!